Inside a San Diego Kitchen with European Style

The kitchen in this 1928 San Diego home (it recently earned Historical Preservation status) was disjointed and inefficient. It was originally divided into three separate areas. That didn’t work for one half of the homeowner couple, the one who is an enthusiastic chef and baker with a passion for collecting countertop pursuits.

Charlotte Lea

“One of the rooms was lined with work tables crowded with appliances,” explains Kristin Kostamo-McNeil, owner and principal at Anne Rae Design. “The range was isolated on its own wall with no adjacent counter space, and there was no island to offer additional prep area or functionality. The refrigerator was also placed alone on a separate wall. Overall, the layout was cramped and made one of the most joyful experiences—cooking!—inefficient and most likely frustrating. Battling counter clutter and not having an intuitive flow to reflect how you actually work in a kitchen is not ideal for anyone. When you’re a passionate home chef, these are front-burner problems!”

Charlotte Lea

In addition to making the kitchen a more functional space, Kristin and team were tasked with incorporating European influences with the home’s original Spanish-style architecture. Since the home has historical status, it was important to maintain its architecture and Old-World feeling.

Charlotte Lea

“The kitchen footprint dramatically changed,” Kristin says. “The house structure just so happened to allow the architect, Kim Grant Design, the perfect expansion where the original sink wall was located, giving us enough space to relocate the refrigeration and cooking area. The wall that separated the rooms was removed which allowed us the ability to add a fantastic working island, which is large enough to seat guests and also adds ample workspace. By opening up these spaces we were also able to add the breakfast nook built-in seating.  The family typically all cook together and then sit down at the breakfast nook to dine together.”

Charlotte Lea

The Old-World, European style shines through in the kitchen’s cabinetry. The husband is originally from the Beaujolais region in France, where his parents owned a cafe. Kristin decided to take this tidbit and use it as inspiration. She “hid” the refrigerator and freezer with custom cabinetry that make it look like elegant armoires. This design decision excited the homeowner couple, who are fans of bistro culture.

Charlotte Lea

“For this kitchen, the appliance selections were among the first decisions made, setting the tone for the rest of the design,” Kristin explains. “From there, I started researching cabinet styles for the rest of the space, and we came across an image of a New York City kitchen featuring navy blue lower cabinets and white uppers. Interestingly, this resonated on a personal level—the couple had met while working in New York, making the discovery feel especially meaningful. Although we initially shared the image to highlight the mix of inset upper cabinets and overlay lowers, we all instantly fell in love with the striking color combination.”

For the backsplash, they chose a hand-painted terracotta tile pattern that ties everything together while adding warmth and artisanal charm.

Charlotte Lea

The newly designed space is a dream for serious home cooks. It’s a charming and sophisticated space with top-notch appliances, functional details, and plenty of room for cooking and entertaining.

“They absolutely adore the space, describing it as both highly functional and wonderfully cozy,” Kristin says. “Recently, my associates and I had the pleasure of experiencing it firsthand when the family graciously invited us over for dinner. It was a truly spectacular evening spent with wonderful clients who have become cherished friends.”